With “Dune: Part Two” now in the rearview mirror, what’s next for Denis Villeneuve? First, a well-deserved rest, but the director said last month that he has “four projects on the table,” including “Dune Messiah,” “Cleopatra,” and another secret project. But what about the fourth?
Well, it could be “Nuclear War: A Scenario.” Deadline reports that Legendary Entertainment optioned Annie Jacobsen‘s nonfiction bestseller and eyes Villeneuve to direct. The project would be another blockbuster effort for the a man who’s already helmed two “Dune” movies and “Blade Runner 2049,” albeit “Nuclear War” would be slightly different. Jacobsen’s book explores a possible scenario of what would happen on Earth during a nuclear war, based on dozens of interviews the writer did with military and civilian experts. It’s no surprise that Legendary would swoop in on such an adaptation now. Thanks to “Oppenheimer,” nuclear war is a buzzy theme, and having Villeneuve helm this movie would be an easy way for the production company to capitalize.
Legendary expects Villeneuve will want to adapt and direct “Nuclear War: A Scenario,” and produce it with longtime creative partner Tonya Lapointe. But as of right now that’s just wishful thinking. As for what the film would be like, expect a blockbuster of chilling proportions: nuclear fallout across the world in an age of fractured global politics and several countries waging war against each other. So, yes, this film would not be a sequel to Nolan’s film in the sense that it depicts the end of the world that Oppenheimer predicts.
As grim as a movie as that sounds like, it’s a no-brainer for Hollywood to make. Jacobsen’s book is already a bestseller with rave reviews just over a week after publication, and the success of “Oppenheimer” this awards season proves nuclear war is easy money for movie studios at the moment. And Legendary is having a strong 2024 so far at the box office, with “Dune: Part Two” currently at $637 million globally, and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” taking in $251 worldwide its first weekend. But bear in mind those two films are part of Legendary’s now-lapsed deal with Warner Bros., and “Nuclear War: A Scenario” would be part of their current deal with Sony. Still, on paper, it’s bound to be a money maker, and that should make Legendary heads Josh Grode and Mary Parent happy with this deal.
As for whether “Nuclear War: A Scenario” will be Denis Villeneuve’s next movie, don’t believe anything unless it comes straight from the director’s mouth.
